Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-30
ELRPHANT GOSSIP.
Possible Extinction of the Anima
 Sone SforIes Said te be True.

Possible Extinction of the Animal
 Some Stories Said te be True.
 It is possible, and even probable, that per sons now living may see the extinction of the elephant as wild animal, gays the London Spectator The operation of natural causes has already reduced the many species which once existed on the earth to two, and to these two the demands of human luxury will prob ably before long prove fatal. It is not, in- deed, the vanity of manor rather woman deadly to so many of the fairest things in creation, that threatens the existence of the elephant, but more solid and perhaps more reasonable cause. The things which he per ishes to furnish would be called objects of utility rather than of ornament. It is our table knives, so rapidly worn out in handle as we'll as blade, that destroy him. One firm of English cutters we believe takes near
 ly three-fourths of the African supply; and it is from Africa, where both the male and female animal are heavily tusked, that most of our ivory comes. It has been calculated that at least one hundred thousand elephants are annually sacrificed for their tusks. Year by year the wild animal is driven into nar- rower limits by the incessant pursuit of the hunter, and the day cannot be very distant when he will perish altogether. Possibly the tuskless animal of Ceylon, which offers no such temptation, and which it would be easy to protect-if it is not already protected against the sportsman, will continue to prolong the race; but the extent of Ceylon is comparatively small, and it's elephant herds are already drawn upon to keep up the sup ply of the domesticated animal. For though the elephant sometimes breeds in captivity, this occurrence is so rare that it cannot be relied upon for preserving the stock. Con~ seouently ths extinction of the wild animal implies that within long period of time the species will altogether cease to exist.
 When this shall happen the world will foir fo So1- when it's dignity and majestic strength are considered, as well as it's sagacity and moral development-the noblest animal after man. We speak pace the admirers of the dog; but the dog as obviously the satellite of man, is wanting in the essential quality of dignity. What dog too could have stirred whole na- tion as Jumbo did in his life and deatha The demonstrations of the sentiment were often extravagantly absuld, but the animal which made them possible must be allowed to stand very high in the scale of creation.
 The ancients, who are sparing in their praises of the dog (by far the larger part of the world has already abhorred him the very type of uncleanness), could not speak too highly of the elephant. The elder Pliny, who was diligent collector of anecdotes rather than an observer, surpasses himself when he treats of this animal He places him as unquestionably next to man. Intel tigence, obedience, memory, ambition, affec ton. honesty, prudence and justice among the catalogue of virtues which he as- scribes to these creatures. He even declares that they are religious, worshipping the stars, the sun and the moon, an assertion in which he is followed by Plutarch and 4Elian.
 The stories which he tells of their sagaeity and aptitude for acquiring accomplishments are marvellous. That they should go through the motions of dance gladiatorial cons bat is credible Busheeq tells us of one which he himself saw in Turkey that danced and played at ball. But our faith is taxed when we read of four elephants walking on | tight ropes carrying another in litter. Yet